okay well i got it to go back in finally, i had to align the plug at the exact same angle as the adjacent one. then put it in like a tap would. go in some back it out, look and put more antisieze and go in deeper next try. and low and behold, it went in nicely after a few turns. (note: i will not take responsibility if anyone tries this and it don't work how its supposed to)

 

Before taking the 2 plugs out, I didnt check if they were well sealed. But I assume not since I always experienced a lack of power.

But I installed them back last week and I've been driving like that since then... Lack of power is still there but no misfiring yet... though I had a CEL this weekend for about an hour and this morning after a big storm first time I started the engine it died after 2 sec. Had to restart it and everything seems to be fine.

Im confident it's impacting the car performance and certainly other things like idle, vibration, cold start... But is there anything I can do to fix the threads?

 

You can tap the threads, but I don't know if that's a job I'd want to do myself. If you don't have a tap set it'll still be cheaper than having it done, but I dunno if I'd want to risk getting filings in the combustion chamber.

 

I used one of these - http://www.shop.com/Wilmar_14_18MM_S...09575-p!.shtml

It worked like a charm. I used a little bit of lube and worked the chase in and out. Every time It came out there was a little bit of metal on the lube. I wiped it off, re-lubed and continued until the hole was fully threaded.

 

Can chases be found at normal auto parts stores? Looks like it's just a less aggressive tap. Do they work on really buggered threads?
Does the 8 take an 18mm?

 

+1 to that.

When the Cat/Compression recall happened, the dealer I took my 8 to x-threaded the rear Trailing plug. A turbo and almost 2 years later the same plug is still in there.

The Trailing plug has the smaller hole into the combustion chamber. That may reduce the risk of shaving getting into the chamber, but still don't feel comfortable re-tapping the threads.

Can't afford a rebuild just yet.

 

Yeah I found mine at AutoZone I think. I don't know at what point a thread is too buggered to be chased, but it worked for me. I'm pretty sure our spark plug threads are 14mm.

 

I picked a chase up at Autozone last night (along with a good impact swivel and a deep impact socket set.) That plug should be coming out tomorrow. If 500 ft-lbs won't get it out... well, I guess it's part of the engine from now on..
The other trailing plug went in pretty tough, so I think I'll pull that one out and chase those threads as well.

 

This thread has been great. I just turned over 30K and am planning on replacing the plugs myself after being quoted between $200-300 at the dealership. My question is this - I have read throughout the thread people replacing plug wires and coils too. Can anyone educate me on how I can tell if I need to replace these items as well? Or like the plugs, is it generally just recommended at this stage fo the car's life? The car has been running good, I have just noticed it missing a bit while idiling. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

pull your plugs. brown, coils are still probably okay. black is bad, corresponding coil is bad. if one coil is bad, the others are probably not too far behind. best to change them out all at once
as for wires, just do a visual inspection. probably not 100% necessary, but its not all that expensive so might as well do it while you're changing stuff there anyways.

 

Thanks cjkim, good info. I am going to change out plugs, wires and colis. I have already ordered the plugs through sparkplugs.com. Does anyone have sugestions of the best place(s) to buy the wires and coils?

 

does anyone know where to find good oem spark plugs for the 8, cuz i think mine is worn out , its at 96k but i doubt it if the dealership changed it when i bought it at 69k because they didnt even change the brakes , cause a month after i bought the car they were grinding i had to take it back , plus my tranny seems to be going up to 3rd gear and thats it , unless am driving with the pedal shifters then it goes up to 4 , any suggestions , its an 04 AT , plus is there a DIY FOR IGNITION COILS TOO

 

there's a group buy on plugs from mazmart right now

 

go to sparkplugs.com I have bought from them. I have not had any problems from them so far.

 

I purchased mine at sparkplugs.com as well. I found I could have saved a few bucks at fluid motor sports.

direct link to product:
http://www.fluidmotorsports.com/p-95...ccesories.aspx

If you do use sparkplugs.com, make sure you use cupon code "spccoupon" to get 10% off.

 

^ The link above didn't work for some reason. Here's the current one:

http://www.fluidmotorsports.com/p-95...ccesories.aspx

 

I found that Amazon.com has both plugs and is selling them cheaper than places listed above. They qualify for the free super saver shipping for orders over $25 since sold by Amazon direct. No sales tax for most states, including California. Make sure you're buying in from Amazon.com direct or you might get some outrageous shipping from 3rd party vendors selling on the site.

Grand total for me was $77.88 for two of each. However, I am hoping slow boat super saver is faster than the estimated ship date of March 30th and arrival April 6-10. Glad I'm not in a time crunch! *Update: It shipped today on 3/25.

$19.03 NGK RE7CL http://www.amazon.com/NGK-RE7CL-Lase...=pd_sim_auto_2
$19.91 NGK RE9BT http://www.amazon.com/NGK-RE9BT-Lase...gy_auto_text_b

Wonder if the reviewer leaving the only review (5-star) on the NGK RE9BT page is a RX8club member. He gives good advice so he must be.

 

great find, thanks!

EDIT: links fixed, thanks!

 

Links are fixed - I hope! I'll let everyone know how they are when I get them. However, I think anyone who orders soon with a faster shipping method is going to beat my free super saver turtle express order.

Update: It shipped today on 3/25. Earlier as I was hoping!

 

Very nice DIY.

After removing the driver's side wheel, and the "rubber splash thingy" I replaced all four plugs straight in accessible from the wheel opening. You definitely need a socket extension with a 'wobble' adapter tho'.

 

Got the Amazon spark plugs. Are they in gray/silver box and say "Laser Iridium" on them?

 

Great DIY - followed these instructions step by step and I was able to finish up in ~30 minutes!

 

Anyone try the Denso spark plugs from sparkplugs.com? $35 each. That's pretty steep.

 

I have, but I bought my RX-8 used with 39K on the clock so I don't have any experience with new NGKs. They are good, supposed to add .25 - .5 horses. I figure I will use only the best since this is one of my dream cars.

 

stick with NGK, you cant go wrong